The two-week HITS Saugerties Fall Series began last week with HITS-on-the-Hudson VII, the prelude to the HITS Championship, the Richest Weekend in Show Jumping. HITS VII featured the final Devoucoux and Platinum Performance Hutner Prix qualifiers of the season, as well as Marshall & Sterling League classes and classics and two Grand Prix. With fall in the air, riders put the their best foot forward in preparation for next week’s Championship classes which include the $500,000 AIG Grand Prix, $250,000 Diamond Mills and $100,000 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix Finals, $15,000 Green Hunter Prix, and $25,000 Black Barn Jr/A-O/Am Jumper Prix.
Featured competition in the Grand Prix Stadium began Wednesday, August 26 with Kevin Mealiff winning the $5,000 HITS Open Welcome aboard All Gold Des Isles. Mealiff crossed the timers in 43.247 to take the top honors. In second place were Heather Caristo-Williams and Marciano MVF [45.030], and in third were Mattias Tromp and Gangsterlinus [43.247].
Charlie Jayne joined the Winner’s Circle aboard Ever Blue with their jump-off time of 43.478 to take the blue ribbon in the second featured jumper class of the week, the $10,000 HITS 1.40m Jumper Classic. Laura Chapot took the red ribbon with Shooting Star [44.404], and Callan Solem and Flash took the yellow ribbon [45.955].
Amanda Derbyshire led the way in the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix aboard Oasis Spirit. This pair were the first to return for the jump-off, and their time of 40.815 was unbeatable as they claimed the victory in Friday’s Grand Prix. Chapot piloted Thornhill Kate to a second place finish [41.422], and Mimi Gochman took third with Celina BH [43.062].
Cassandra Kahle and Wallstreet claimed the blue ribbon in the $10,000 Saugerties Steamboat Co. Jumper Classic. As the last to compete, Kahle laid down a slick jump-off round in a time of 34.924 to secure the win. Todd Minikus secured second place on Napoleon of Picobello [36.097], and Ella Bikoff and Fuego were close behind to take third [36.738].
The field was stacked with top riders and horses for Sunday’s $50,000 HITS Grand Prix. Six riders cleared the first round with no jumping faults, but only 4 finished within the time allowed, setting the stage for a fast and furious jump-off. Taking home first place and the lion’s share of prize money was Jenni McAllister and Escada V S. McAllister flew through the timers in 40.172, beating the field by just over a half of a second, to be awarded the winner’s trophy. In addition, Hylofit presents one of their cutting-edge Heart Monitoring Systems to the Grand Prix winner every Sunday at HITS Saugerties. Gochman and Celina BH took second place [40.855], and Derbyshire and Cornwall BH took third [48.571].